Rubber type holder and type therefor



y 19, 1%36- I J. R. SWIFT ET AL 2,041,499

RUBBER TYPE HoEDEE "AND TYPE THEREFOR Filed April 1, 1935 Ill iatenteci May 19, 1936 UNITED STATES RUBBER TYPE HOLDER AND TYPE THEREFOR Justin R. Swift and Roy W. Rodin, Chicago, Ill. Application April 1, 1935, Serial No. 14,020

8 Claims.

Our invention relates to a rubber type holder andtype therefor, made up for holding movable rubber type for use in a variety of printing ways and has particular reference to a holder and cooperating type in which the line of type can be moved and adjusted for proper alignment and position, and in case of the replacement of type a single piece of type can be removed from the holder in a vertical direction at any place in the form and another piece of type placed in its position if and when required, and the whole line of type anchored in such manner that it is held in proper alignment for printing purposes.

A further object of our invention is the provision of a type holder having the usual walls across the face thereof between which the rubber type is positioned, thereby providing a form for printing purposes. These walls have ribs extending longitudinally thereof, preferably adjacent their base portions, with grooves or channels formed in the bases of the type which correspond in general contour to the ribs on the sides of the holder walls.

Another and further object of our invention is the provision of a type holder with type therefor, having ribs on the sides of the type. walls preferably at one side only, the opposite wall being smooth so that type, spacers or the like may be readily removed from the type holder in a vertical direction and replaced with other type, spacers or the like, as may be desired. In some cases the walls may have ribs thereon on each side, in which case the ribs will preferably be placed at different heights or in offset relation with each other.

Another and further object of our invention is the provision of a type holder with type therefor which will provide the maximum of type bearing surface for the type to stand upon and also to prevent distortion of the type body close up to the printing face. When the old style type was pressed into the holder the friction of the holder walls prevented complete seating of the base of the type on the holder floor.

Another and further object of our invention is the provision of a type holder with type therefor that is adapted to fit between the holder walls in such manner that it may be readily moved in a longitudinal direction'for changing copy or for proper positioning, justifying the type, and the like, and in which, after the type is set and the proper position and arrangement is secured, anchoring quads and/r spacers are placed at the end of each row of type, anchoring in a position opposite to that in which they normally occupy,

that is, with the channels in the type against the straight side of the wall of the type holder, with the rib on the opposite side wall fitted against the straight side of the type in such manner thatthe quad or spacer is compressed at its base to such an extent that it cannot be readily moved, thereby holding the row of type in proper printing position in the holder, and thus becoming an effective stop or anchor piece.

It will be understood that in the manufacture of usual commercial kinds of marking or printing devices for use with movable rubber type, it has been the practice heretofore to form the holder walls in suchmanner that the space between the holder walls is slightly narrower than the type so that the type, which is made of rubber, is slightly laterally compressed when placed into position between the holder walls and retains this position in the type holder walls by frictional engagement therewith. After two or three pieces of type have been thus positioned it is unnecessarily diffioult to move them as a unit in a longitudinal direction, and after the whole line oftype has been set it is almost impossible to move it in a longitudinal direction in the holder channels because of the lateral pressure, or if the line is moved the type is so compressed longitudinally that it is distorted through the moving operation and may be forced out of alignment, or the printing surface is not level or in some other manner an imperfect job of printing results. In other words, this results in setting up a line of type in a series of sections having unequal conditions of compression.

In preparing the type for printing it is the common practice to take an impression of these type in the nature of proof sheets and by examining the sheets determine which type is out of alignment and also which type is too high or too low, as the case may be. These individual types are then adjusted until a printing surface is obtained which gives satisfactory results. This operation is oftimes laborious and at times the type becomes so wedged in the holder that it is very tedious to if it becomes canted, without in any wise disturbing the row of type or throwing itout of proper alignment. In this manner much time and labor can be saved in the proper assembling and adjustment of the type. As explained above, the type, when secured in position, has an anchor quad inserted at each end of the row of type by merely reversing the quad. This results in setting up a line of type having a uniform state of longitudinal compression from end to end. In a long holder a series of detached sections of copy may be assembled and anchored in a number of positions in the row without filling in the spaces between the sections.

Another difliculty encountered with the present form of rubber type is that it becomes hardened with age and also is apt to shrink up slightly and become of quite lesser size so that in some instances the type will be unequally compressed in the holder, resulting in uneven and ragged printing being produced. This is overcome in our present invention because even though the type may become slightly loose the line can be pushed up tightly so that the bases are held in snug relation with each other, and then securely retained in their position by the anchor pieces at the end of the rows or sections of type.

Another and further object of our invention is to provide on each piece of type a means by which the proper position of the printing face can always be determined with relation to its vertical position in the holder because it will be necessary, in placing the type in position, to have the groove in the type fitted over the rib in the wall of the type holder. Certain characters or letters, such as 0, 8, 6, 9, ornaments, etc., are frequently placed in the type holder in inverted position and this is not discovered until the proof sheet is taken, when the whole setup must be changed. With our improved type of construction this condition will not be present because the type can only be readily fitted into the holder in one position, and that is the proper one.

These and other objects of our invention will be more fully and better understood by reference to the accompanying sheet of drawing, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a type holder and type set therein, embodying our invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rubber type showing the groove in the base thereof;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a blank or quad showing the groove in the base thereof adapted to cooperate with the rib shown in the type holder illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of wall for the type holder;

Figure 5 is a perspective fragmentary view of a type wall holder of a modified form;

Figure 6 is still another fragmentary perspective view of a type holder;

Figure 7 is still another modified form of type holder somewhat similar in construction to the design illustrated in Figure 4; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the type having grooves on two sides thereof in offset vertical relation with each other.

Referring now specifically to the drawing, and in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, a type holder I is illustrated having a plurality of type holder walls H, II

' formed thereon, either integrally therewith or wallmembers H, II are placed in parallel armed relation with each other across the face of the type holder, and have ribs l2, l2 formed thereon throughout their entire length, preferably triangular in cross section, inasmuch as the converging sides of these ribs afiord easier means of inserting or removing pieces of type from the holders in a vertical direction than any other form of rib, and also assist in holding the type more firmly than any other form of rib.

In Figure 2 is illustrated a rubber type having a base portion i3 and a printing character [4 (the letter H) on the printing face thereof, and extending transversely across the base thereof is a groove l preferably of converging sides to coact with the triangular shaped ribs i2 on the holder walls II, II.

In Figure 3 is illustrated a blank it having a transversely extending groove I1 across the base thereof similar in cross sectional area and alignment with the groove IS in the type l3. It will be understood that the vertical portion of the type i3 and I6 at the sides opposite the sides on which the grooves l5 and I! are located, are smooth, vertical surfaces which are adapted to coact and rest against the smooth vertical faces i8 of the ribs Ii.

Referring specifically to Figure 4, a section of a base is is shown having a channel 20 formed therein within which a narrow groove 2| is formed extending to the outer surface. The channel 20 is of greater width than the channel 24 and within which a U-shaped back wall member 22 is positioned having a triangular-shaped rib 23 on one side thereof and a smooth face on the opposite side, the edges of the U-shaped member being turned and anchored in the base member IS in any approved manner.

In Figure 5 the base member is has a narrow channel 25 formed therein in which a side wall member 26 is mounted, this member being preferably formed of metal folded upon itself, with the free edges thereof mounted in the channel 25, with a triangular shaped rib portion 2'! being provided which is protruded through the sides of the metal and is adapted to coact with the grooves l5 and I! in the type members i3 and [6 respec-- tively.

In Figure 6 a modified form of type holder is shown, in which generally a U-shaped metallic member 28 is anchored to the base member I9 in any approved manner, the member 28 having a vertical wall 29 at one side thereof, with a coacting vertical wall 30 at the opposite side thereof, near the base of which a. rib portion 3| is formed to coact with the channel in the type, such as I3 and i6.

In Figure 7 a rectangular shaped member 32 is provided which is inverted and has its free edges 33 and 34 respectively, fitted into grooves of suitable size and width in the base member IS, with a rib 35 extending longitudinally of the member 32 and along the base thereof.

In Figure 8 is illustrated a modified form of type of larger size than that illustrated in the other figures, and in which the channel I5 is formed in the base thereof, and at the opposite side nearer the top section a channel 36 is formed,

this form being adapted to be received in a holder having ribs on each side of the holder walls.

In the operation of the device the type, such as I3, is fitted in between the walls H, II on the holder I 0, with the channels IS in engagement with the ribs l2, these typebeing made so that they fit into the channels without materially actress compressing the rubber type. The type is set up in' rows between the walls i l, H in suitable manner and when the row is finished an anchor blank or quad, such as it, is placed in position,

particularly as shown in Figure 1, at each end of the row of type, the blanks or quads in this instance being reversed so that the smooth face thereof is fitted against the ribs I2 and with the channel ll adjacent the vertical side i8 of the wall I. To place these members in position they must of necessity be compressed a considerable amount, which, being made of rubber, it is possible to do, but when once placed in position they serve to retain the pieces of type in their proper position and hold them in proper alignment, particularly when these pieces of type are pushed up tightly together or snugged up as is usually referred to in setting up type of this character. This operation is completed and because of the fact that the necessity for compressing the type members is not present in type of this character, the alignment of it is superior to the ordinary rubber type which has been on the market heretofore, and if after proof sheets are taken it is found that any of the type is out of alignment, it is extremely easy to adjust the type and put it in proper alignment so that the printing is performed satisfactorily.

We have found that when a form is set up in this manner that each row of type is evenly compressed due to the holding power of the compressed anchor quads and the fact that the pieces of type are only very slightly compressed laterally when placed in the form. When completed the entire form is under uniform compression, each piece of type is firmly positioned upon its base and therefore in position to yield equally over all areas to pressure applied to the form and to resist such pressure in a straight line in a direction at a right angle to the direction in which such force is applied.

If for any reason it is necessary to remove any one of the type, this can be done by canting the type to one side toward the wall having the rib thereon. The type being compressible will slide up alongside the smooth wall [8 of the ribs and in this manner a single type can be removed from any combination without disturbing the entire setup, and a new type inserted into position by placing the type sideways and pushing it down into the space vacated by the removed type. This feature is quite important and the triangular shape of the ribs allows this removal and insertion of the type much more readily than some other type or contour of rib which might perform the same general function of compressing the type at its base, but would not allow the removal from the type holder of single type for purposes of alignment or for composing a new setup of type and the like, without disturbing the entire setup. In this manner we provide a type which is readily set up, is easily adjustable, and with which far superior results of printing can be obtained than is possible with the old or standard form of rubber type.

While we have described more or less precisely the details of construction, we do not wish to be understood as limiting ourselves thereto, as we contemplate changes in form and the proportion of parts and the substitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of our invention.

We claim:

1, In combination, a type holder comprising,

in combination, a base member having a plurality of walls on one face thereof in parallel spaced relation with each other, each of said walls having a rib on one side thereof adjacent its base, type having channels therein near their base 5 portions adapted to be fitted between said walls, and blank members adapted in one position to act as spacers and in a reverse position to act as anchors for each row of type.

2. In combination, a type holder comprising, 10 in combination, a base member having a plurality of walls on one face thereof in parallel spaced relation with each other, each of said walls having a rib extending longitudinally thereof on one side only near its base portion, type adapted 15 to be fitted between said walls having grooves therein adapted to cooperate with the ribs on said walls and members adapted to act as spacers in one position and anchor members in another position between the said walls.

3. In combination, a type holder comprising, in combination, a base member having a plurality of walls on one face thereof having ribs thereon in parallel spaced relation with each other, type adapted to be fitted between said walls having 25 channels therein, anchor and spacing members having channels in one side thereof and capable of use as anchor members when placed in reverse direction.

4. In combination, a type holder comprising, in combination, a base member having a plurality of walls on one face thereof having ribs thereon in parallel spaced relation with each other, type adapted to-be fitted between said walls having channels therein, and combined spacer and anchor members having channels in one side thereof and capable of use as anchor members when placed in'reverse direction at each end of each row of type.

5. In combination, a type holder comprising a 40 base member having a plurality of type holding walls thereon on one face thereof in parallel spaced relation with each other, having ribs thereon extending longitudinally thereof positioned adjacent the bases of the said walls, rubber type therefor having cooperating grooves therein in the side thereof, and reversible spacing and anchoring members therefor having grooves extending thereacross and adapted to act as spacing members in one position and anchoring members when the position of said members is reversed.

6. In combination, a type holder comprising a base member having a plurality of type holding walls thereon on one face thereof in parallel spaced relation with each other, having ribs thereon extending longitudinally thereof adjacent the bases thereof, rubber type therefor havmg cooperating grooves therein extending across the type adjacent the bases thereof, and combined spacing and anchoring members for each row of type.

7. In combination, a type holder comprising a base member having a plurality of type holding walls thereon on one face thereof in parallel spaced relation with each other and having ribs thereon extending longitudinally thereof adjacent the bases thereof having inclined side walls, rubber type therefor having channels therein extending across said type adjacent their bases having inclined side walls, and combined spacer and anchor members having channels therein with inclined side walls and capable when placed in said holder in one position of being used as spacers and when placed in reversed position of being used as anchors.

8. In combination, a type holder comprising a base member having a, plurality of type holding walls thereon on one face thereof in parallel spaced relation with each other and having ribs thereon extending longitudinally thereof adjacent the bases thereof having inclined converging side walls, rubber type therefor having chan- 10 nels therein extending across said type adjacent their bases having inclined converging side walls, and combined spacer and anchor members having channels therein with inclined converging side walls and capable when placed in said holder in one position of being used as spacers and whenplaced in reversed position of being used as anchors. 

